November 08, 2013

All together now: Per Cowboys brass, there are no long-term concerns about Dez Bryant's back

Owner Jerry Jones, vice-president Stephen Jones and coach Jason Garrett all chimed in receiver Dez Bryant's back injury yesterday, shooting down reports they have long-term concerns about the health status of the fourth-year receiver.

Bryant sat out practice Wednesday and was limited in practice on Thursday because of tightness in his back. He was a full participant in the media portion of practice Friday.

Bryant has said twice this week there was no doubt he would play against the Saints Sunday.

"We’re just trying to address one of the issues," coach Jason Garrett said. "Dez hasn’t missed much football for us. He’s a really tough guy. He’s a great football player. He loves to play the game. So injuries are part of the game. You address them and try to get guys ready to play each week."

Asked if he was worried about long-term implications for Bryant and his back issues at the age of 25, Garrett said "no". Bryant has experienced tightness in his back a few times in the past, most notably in the 2012 season final against the Redskins when he was forced from the game in the fourth quarter and needed a wheel chair to get to the plane afterwards.

"We don’t seem to have any long-term concern about that at all," Garrett said. "We’re just trying to address an issue. If you look in our locker room and locker rooms all over the league guys are nicked up this time of year and you’ve got to do your best as a medical staff to get them healthy, get them out on the practice field and get ready to play on Sunday."

Vice-president Stephen Jones said Bryant's issue is more muscular than skeletal and there are no concerns about him having a disc problem.

"I think we're going to be fine," Stephen Jones said.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones responded in similar fashion when asked about Bryant on his radio show Friday on KRLD-FM.

"I haven’t heard anything like that or just close to it," Jerry Jones said of concerns about Bryant having a herniated disc. "I have no idea what you’re talking about there. I really don’t. Who’d you get that from?"